In a move prompted by an urgent need for safety measures, Mosquito Creek Marina has notified its clients and tenants of the impending closure of numerous docks, effective May 31st, 2024. The announcement comes in the wake of an extensive structural assessment conducted by an independent professional marine inspection company.
The Nch’ḵay̓ Business Operations team, engaged by the Squamish Nation to oversee the marina’s management, shed light on the reasons behind the sudden and critical decision. The professional assessment, finalized in November, concluded that many of the marina’s docks and components have reached their functional end-of-life. This revelation follows over 50 years of Mosquito Creek Marina’s service to the community.
Addressing the assessment process, the Nch’ḵay̓ team outlined a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a consultant team with expertise in marine inspections. The assessment covered visual inspections above and below water, including a steel and concrete travel lift structure, 350 float connections, and a floating breakwater consisting of three steel barges and anchor chains.
The findings of the assessment, shared with tenants in a memo dated December 5th, revealed that the original floats and mooring systems along various docks, including Dock Nos. B, C, D, E, G, H, I, a portion of A Dock, Fuel Dock, and Approach, as well as the south end of Jerry Kanaka Nahanee Way, have reached the end of their service life with widespread and severe deterioration.
Speaking on the urgency of the situation, the Nch’ḵay̓ Business Operations team explained that they sought to provide tenants with the maximum feasible period to make alternative arrangements for the removal of their property and vessels. Responding to questions about the lack of prior notice or consultation, management clarified that the marine inspection company shared their findings only recently, indicating the need for critical repairs within the next month. Balancing the importance of tenant relationships with the urgency of safety concerns, the decision was made to promptly issue notices through tenant memos.
“All tenants of the affected Mosquito Creek Marina docks must vacate their slips or moorage by May 31st, 2024 — nearly six months from now,” management writes. They assured affected tenants of the emergency repairs that MCM staff would work closely with them to secure alternative berths for their vessels during the repair process.
In response to queries about future plans for the marina site, the Nch’ḵay̓ Business Operations team says planning work will start in January. The aim is to develop extensive rehabilitation or possible redevelopment plans for the Mosquito Creek Marina site. However, as of now, the Squamish Nation and Nch’ḵay̓ Business Operations have not determined whether these future plans will include a new marina.
This closure announcement comes at a time when moorage availability in the province is at an extreme low. Many lower mainland marinas have closed or extensive waitlists while others, including Reed Point in Port Coquitlam, are refusing moorage to boats over 30 years old, with existing slips grandfathered but not transferrable. Over on the island concern over the fate of Ladysmith Community Marina continues, with The Ladysmith Maritime Society commencing legal proceedings against the Town of Ladysmith over a dispute over the marina’s lease, which is to be transferred to Stz’uminus First Nation as part of a reconciliation agreement.